International Baccalaureate (IB)

froggee501 · 02-27-2002, 06:35 PM

How many of y'all have the IB programs in your school?

My school is one of (i heard) 4 schools in the state to offer IB programs........ and one of the other three is the other high school in my city!

so yeah, my city's schools are pretty good....

If you don't know what IB is, It's kinda like an Advanced Placement class, but that is taken globally, with a global cirriculum...... the IB courses are based in Switzerland.

Anywho, I'm likely going to take 3 IB classes next year...... IB Music, IB French 4, and IB English HL 1.

For those of you who know what IB is, I have a question........ should I take regular physics next year, or IB? I'm in Chemistry, and doing well, I took Biology last year and did well, and I'm good with math...... I'll be taking Pre-Calc next year, in my junior year, while most people don't take it til their senior year, if they take it at all........so, should I take regular physics, or IB? I don't really like science, but I don't mind it either.... I'm not planning on doing anything science related with my future, but I do like the fact that IB looks good on a college application.......so, help?!

froggee501 · 02-27-2002, 08:55 PM

*bump* so amber can see this....

Registered · 02-27-2002, 10:32 PM

Okay, I think I am qualified to answer this. My school was one of two in our state that offered this program and I went ahead and got the IB diploma which is six IB classes along with 100 community service hours and a thesis paper sent to Denmarck or something.

My recommendation is yes, take the IB course. Whatever it is, take as many IB courses as you can. They prepare you SO much more for college or whatever else you plan to do after school. I will say this: it will not be fun nor easy and there will be many nights where you completely regret the decision, but in the long run it will pay off if you are dedicated and studious, traits usually shared by most IB students. Again, the process is rough and tedious, but the results that you will experience later on will be much greater than if you took a "regular" course.

Any other questions you might have, just post them. I went through the entire program so I might be able to help you.

maadio · 02-28-2002, 09:43 PM

Yeah we have IB at my school (PAHS, VB, VA) And I'm pretty sure it's Belgium, not Denmark...

froggee501 · 03-01-2002, 06:50 PM

Okay.....I'm taking IB French, IB English, and IB Music........the first two I will definately take in my senior year too.......dunno about the Music one, have to see how it works out........ I'm also trying to decide whether or not to take IB Physics....... help!

should I take IB physics, or regular?

Amber · 03-01-2002, 06:56 PM

I think that if you do well in math and science courses, you should be IB physics. I recommend that you take as many advanced courses, IB or AP, as possible, because, from what I have heard, it will really prepare you for college. In May I'm taking higher level English and Biology and standard level Calculus. What really makes me mad is today I fould out that I can't get any college credit for the Calculus test because it isn't higher level

froggee501 · 03-01-2002, 07:04 PM

no fair!

yeah, I do good in math and science......I don't like em, but I do good in them!

Actually, I'm a pretty good student overall, mostly A's and B's.....straight A's in eighth grade.......I'm just really bad with remembering homework.....

Registered · 03-02-2002, 12:47 AM

If you take as many IB courses as you can, your first year of college will be unbelievably easy. It prepares you so much for college and puts you so far ahead of everyone else that it is certainly worth it.

froggee501 · 03-02-2002, 01:31 PM

lol, okay sir.

now I just need to decide for sure whether physics or IB.... hmm....

maadio · 03-02-2002, 04:08 PM

You see I'm not actually in IB, but my sister was, (which is why I'm not: I didn't want that to happen to me too...) She was always stressed out and she probably had a four-year long ulcer, not to mention taking about ten years off of the end of her life. I'm regretting it, though, because they didn't let me take TOK at my school. Oh well...

So where was I? Ummm.... oh yeah! If you can handle it, take what you can so you don't have to do it in college. (Because that sister of mine basically started college as a junior...)

anyway, that's my nickle's worth... :kwink:

-andy

Froggee315 · 03-02-2002, 04:51 PM

Great name Froggee!!! IB Physics is really easy! It is probably because our teacher is the coolest (we call him G-Dawg or G-Funk) but it still is an easy class...I have decided not to do IB anymore but that is just a personal thing...definitly take the class though!

Registered · 03-02-2002, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by plaid_child
You see I'm not actually in IB, but my sister was, (which is why I'm not: I didn't want that to happen to me too...) She was always stressed out and she probably had a four-year long ulcer, not to mention taking about ten years off of the end of her life. I'm regretting it, though, because they didn't let me take TOK at my school. Oh well...

So where was I? Ummm.... oh yeah! If you can handle it, take what you can so you don't have to do it in college. (Because that sister of mine basically started college as a junior...)

anyway, that's my nickle's worth... :kwink:

-andy

Very true Andy. The four years I spent in the program were very tough and extremely stressful. There is absolutely nothing easy about the courses or the work they expect. While it was tough to endure (maybe I did have an ulcer

), it was well worth it. Much like your sister, the advanced college credit allowed me to start college as a sophomore, which will ultimately save 20,000 dollars. You have to prioritize which is more important, the extra education and potential year you save from college, or the "ease" and relaxation that would be certainly promised by avoiding the program.

Also, I think everyone should take the courses for TOK alone. This class made me think more than any other class in high school could have. It pushes your mind to examine the nature of humanity and knowledge and how we do interact vs. how we should interact. So, that is my 1 cent worth (darn deflation

)

Tracy · 03-07-2002, 01:36 PM

My school's getting registered with the IBO this year, but I'm not sure how they're working it yet, or whether we're just the Middle Years program or what... it's very confusing. I hate my school sometimes.